Certain 2-pyridyloxy-lower alkylene-oxy-phenoxy compounds, thio-and methylene analogues having insecticidal properties

ABSTRACT

A nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R 1  is either one of the following groups: ##STR2##  (in which R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , R 10 , R 11 , R 12 , R 13 , R 14 , R 15 , R 16  and R 17  are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C 1  -C 4  alkyl group, a C 1  -C 4  alkoxy group, a C 1  -C 4  alkylthio group, a trifluoromethyl group or a nitro group, R 18 , R 19 , R 20  and R 21  are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, k is an integer of 0 to 1 and l is an integer of 0 to 3); 
     R 2  and R 3  are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a methyl group; 
     R 4  is a halogen atom or a methyl group; 
     R 5  and R 6  are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C 1  -C 4  alkyl group, a C 1  -C 4  alkoxy group, a C 1  -C 4  haloalkyl group or a C 1  -C 4  haloalkoxy group; 
     X, Y and Z are, the same or different, each an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a methylene group; 
     m is an integer of 0 to 4; and 
     n is an integer of 0 to 2, 
     which is useful as an insecticidal agent.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 601,284, filed on Apr. 17, 1984, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, and their production and use.

The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic comppounds are represented by the formula: ##STR3## wherein R₁ is any one of the following groups: ##STR4## (in which R₇, R₈, R₉, R₁₀, R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₄, R₁₅, R₁₆ and R₁₇ are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, a C₁ -C₄ alkoxy group, a C₁ -C₄ alkylthio group, a trifluoromethyl group or a nitro group, R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀ and R₂₁ are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, k is an integer of 0 to 1 and l is an integer of 0 to 3);

R₂ and R₃ are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a methyl group;

R₄ is a halogen atom or a methyl group;

R₅ and R₆ are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, a C₁ -C₄ alkoxy group, a C₁ -C₄ haloalkyl group or a C₁ -C₄ haloalkoxy group;

X, Y and Z are, the same or different, each an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a methylene group;

m is an integer of 0 to 4; and

n is an integer of 0 to 2.

In the above, the term "halogen" includes chlorine, bromine, iodine and fluorine.

Among the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, preferred are those of the formula (I) wherein

R₁ is any one of the following groups: ##STR5## (in which R₇, R₈, R₁₁, R₁₂ and R₁₇ are each a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, R₁₈, R₁₉, R₂₀ and R₂₁ are each a hydrogen atom and l is as defined above;

R₂ and R₃ are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a methyl group;

R₅ and R₆ are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom;

X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom;

Y is an oxygen atom;

Z is an oxygen atom or a methylene group; and

m and n are each an integer of 0.

The intermediates in the production of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (I) are also included in the scope of this invention. Among a variety of intermediates, those of the following formula are particularly important: ##STR6## wherein R₁ " is a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a tosyloxy group or a mesyloxy group, R₂ " and R₃ " are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and R₄ " is a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom.

Organophosphorus insecticides, organochlorinated insecticides, carbamate insecticides, etc. have made a great contribution to prevention and extermination of harmful insects. Some of these insecticides, however, exhibit a high toxicity. Further, their residual effect causes sometimes unfavorable abnormality in the ecosystem of insects. Furthermore, a resistance to the insecticides is noticed in house flies, planthoppers, leafhoppers, rice borers, etc.

In order to solve the above problems, an extensive study was carried out to provide an excellent insecticide which shows at a low concentration a high preventive effect attributable to a juvenile hormone-like activity. As a result, it has now been found that the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (I) of the invention are useful for controlling insects in agricultural fields, forest lands, granaries, stored products, sanitary facilities, etc.

As the insecticide having a juvenile hormone-like activity, there is known "methoprene" (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,904,662 and 3,912,815). The insecticidal acvitity of this known substance is still not satisfactory.

The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (I) of the invention show a juvenile hormone-like controlling effect and therefore can be used in a low concentration for the control of a variety of insects belonging to Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Dictyoptera, Diptera, etc. as well as spider mites (Teranychidae) belonging to Acarina in agricultural fields, forest lands, granaries, stored products, sanitary facilities, etc.

The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (I) can be prepared by various procedures, of which typical examples are shown below.

Procedure A

A compound of the formula: ##STR7## wherein R₄, R₅, R₆, Y, Z, m and n are each as defined above, R₂ ' and R₃ ' are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and A₁ is a halogen atom, a mesyloxy group or a tosyloxy group, is reacted with a compound of the formula:

    H--X--R.sub.1                                              (III)

wherein R₁ and X are each as defined above, or its alkali metal salt, to give the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound (I).

The reaction is usually carried out in the absence or presence of an inert solvent (e.g. dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane, toluene) in the existence of an acid accepting agent such as an alkali metal, an alkali metal hydride, an alkali metal amide, an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal carbonate, an alkyl lithium or an organic base at a temperature of -70° C. to the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture, preferably from room temperature to 110° C., for a period of 0.5 to 24 hours. In order to accelerate the reaction, a phase transfer catalyst such as benzyltriethylammonium chloride or tetra-n-butylammonium bromide may be employed. In this case, water is usable as the solvent.

The molar ratio of the compound (II) and the compound (III) is normally 1:1-10, preferably 1:1.1-1.5.

Procedure B

A compound of the formula: ##STR8## wherein R₂ ', R₃ ', R₄, R₅, R₆, Y, Z, m and n are each as defined above and X' is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom or its alkali metal salt, is reacted with a compound of the formula:

    A.sub.2 --R.sub.1                                          (V)

wherein R₁ is as defined above and A₂ is a halogen atom to give the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound (I).

The reaction is usually carried out in the absence or presence of an inert solvent (e.g. dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane, toluene) in the existence of an acid accepting agent such as an alkali metal, an alkali metal hydride, an alkali metal amide, an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal carbonate, an alkyl lithium or an organic base at a temperature of -30° C. to the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture, preferably from room temperature to 110° C., for a period of 0.5 to 24 hours. In order to accelerate the reaction, a phase transfer catalyst such as benzyltriethylammonium chloride or tetra-n-butylammonium bromide may be employed. In this case, water is usable as the solvent.

The molar ratio of the compound (IV) and the compound (V) is normally 1:0.5-10, preferably 1:0.8-5.0.

Procedure C

The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (I) wherein R₂ or R₃ is a halogen atom can be prepared by reacting the corresponding non-halogenated compounds with a halogenating agent. For instance, the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound (I) wherein R₁ is ##STR9## R₂ is chlorine, R₃, R₅ and R₆ are each hydrogen, X is sulfur, Y and Z are each oxygen and m and n are each 0, may be prepared by reacting a non-halogenated compound of the formula: ##STR10## with an N-halosuccinimide of the formula: ##STR11##

The above reaction may be carried out in an inert solvent (e.g. carbon tetrachloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, methylene chloride). If desired, a radical initiator such as α,α-azobisisobutylonitrile or benzoyl peroxide may be present in the reaction system so as to effect the reaction smoothly. No particular limitation is present on the reaction temperature but, in general, it may be performed at a temperature of 0° C. to the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture. The reaction is usually accomplished within a period of 1 to 50 hours. The halogenating agent such as N-halosuccinimide may be preferably used in an amount equimolar or more to the non-halogenated compound.

In the above procedures, the recovery of the produced nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound (I) from the reaction mixture and the purification of the recovered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound (I) may be carried out by per se conventional procedures. For instance, the purification can be achieved by recrystallization, chromatography, etc.

The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound (I) has optical isomers with respect to the groups R₂ and R₃, all of which are included within the scope of the invention. Further, the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (I) have a lone pair of electrons on nitrogen so that some of them can form salts with acids, and those salts are also included within the scope of the invention. Examples of the acid are inorganic acids (e.g. hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid), organic acids (e.g. trifluoroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid), etc.

The compound (II) as one of the starting materials may be produced by per se conventional procedures, of which typical examples are shown in the following schema:

When Y is oxygen or sulfur:

Procedure (1) ##STR12## (wherein R₂ ', R₃ ', R₄, R₅, R₆, Z, m and n are each as defined above, Y' is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom and W₁ is an alkyl group). Procedure (2) ##STR13## (wherein R₂ ', R₃ ', R₄, R₅, R₆, Y', Z, m and n are each as defined above and A₄ is a halogen atom). Procedure (3) ##STR14## (wherein R₂ ', R₄, R₅, R₆, Y', Z and m is as defined above). Procedure (4) ##STR15## (wherein R₃ ', R₄, R₅, R₆, Y', Z, m and n are each as defined above and W₂ is an alkyl group).

When Y is methylene and n is zero: ##STR16## (wherein R₂ ', R₃ ', R₄, R₅, R₆, Z and m are each as defined above, W₃ is an alkyl group and W₄ is a methyl group or an alkoxy group).

The compound (VI) is known or can be prepared by per se conventional procedures (cf. Angew. Chem., 52, 915 (1938); Japanese Patent Publn. (unexamined) No. 62033/1980). A typical example for producing the compound (VI), e.g. 4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenol, is illustrated below. ##STR17## (wherein M is an alkali metal atom).

The compound (IV) wherein X is an oxygen atom is obtainable in the same or similar manner as the preparation of the compound (II). The compound (IV) wherein X is a sulfur atom may be produced in the following manner: ##STR18## (wherein R₂ ', R₃ ', R₄, R₅, R₆, Y, Z, A₁, m and n are each as defined above and M is an alkali metal atom).

One of the optically active intermediary compounds of the invention, i.e. (S)-(+)-1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethanol, is obtainable in the following manner: ##STR19##

Likewise, (R)-(-)-1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethanol is prepared from (R)-D-ethyl lactate.

The (R)-(-)-or (S)-(+)-isomer of 1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethanol can be converted into its corresponding stereo-isomer according to the following steps: ##STR20## wherein R is a p-tolyl group or a methyl group and M' is a sodium atom or a potassium atom.

Practical and presently preferred embodiments for preparation of the compound (I) are illustratively shown in the following Examples.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Compound No. 1 (Procedure A)

To a suspension of sodium hydride (132 mg, 3.3 mmol; 60% in oil) in dimethylformamide (5 ml), a solution of 2-hydroxypyridine (314 mg, 3.3 mmol) in dimethylformamide (3 ml) was dropwise added with stirring, and stirring was continued at room temperature until the generation of hydrogen gas ceased. To the resultant solution, there was dropwise added a solution of 2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl bromide (879 mg, 3.0 mmol) in dimethylformamide (3 ml), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was poured into water (70 ml) and extracted with toluene (25 ml) three times. The toluene layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and the solvent was removed by evaporation. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give 2-[2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethoxy]pyridine (264 mg) as white crystals. M.P., 94.2° C.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of Compound No. 3 (Procedure B)

To a suspension of sodium hydride (200 mg, 5.0 mmol; 60% in oil) in dimethylformamide (5 ml), a solution of 1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethanol (1.22 g, 5.0 mmol) in dimethylformamide (3 ml) was dropwise added with stirring, and the mixture was kept at an inner temperature of 50° to 60° C. until the generation of hydrogen gas ceased. 2-Chloropyridine (684 mg, 6.0 mmol) was dropwise added thereto, followed by stirring at 100° to 110° C. for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, poured into water (100 ml) and extracted with toluene (40 ml) three times. The toluene layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed by evaporation. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give 2-[1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethoxy]pyridine (1.27 g) as pale yellow liquid. n_(D) ²⁰.5 1.5823. Upon being allowed to stand for a few days, the liquid solidified to give crystals. M.P., 49.7° C.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of Compound No. 12 (Procedure B)

To a suspension of sodium hydride (20 mg, 0.5 mmol; 60% in oil) in dimethylformamide (1 ml), a solution of 1-methyl-2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]ethanol (140 mg, 0.5 mmol) in dimethylformamide (1 ml) was dropwise added with stirring, and stirring was continued at room temperature until the generation of hydrogen gas ceased. 2-Fluoropyridine (97 mg, 1.0 mmol) was dropwise added thereto, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was poured into water (40 ml) and extracted with toluene (20 ml) three times. The toluene layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed by evaporation. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give 2-{1-methyl-2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)pheoxy]ethoxy}pyridine (129 mg) as pale yellow liquid. n_(D) ¹⁹.0 1.5602.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of Compound No. 49 (Procedure A)

To a suspension of sodium hydride (160 mg, 4.0 mmol; 60% in oil) in dimethylformamide (5 ml), a solution of 2-mercapto-2-thiazoline (476 mg, 4.0 mmol) in dimethylformamide (3 ml) was dropwise added with stirring, and stirring was continued until the generation of hydrogen gas ceased. To the resultant solution, there was dropwise added a solution of 2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl bromide (1.17 g, 4.0 mmol) in dimethylformamide (3 ml), and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The reaction mixture was poured into water (80 ml) and extracted with toluene (40 ml) three times. The toluene layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed by evaporation. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give 2-[2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethylthio]-2-thiazoline (887 mg) as pale yellow crystals. M.P., 88.6° C.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of Compound No. 20 (Procedure B)

(1) (S)-L-Ethyl lactate tetrahydropyranyl ether

L-Ethyl lactate (4.0 g, 34 mmol) and dihydropyrane (3.7 g, 44 mmol) were dissolved in dry diethyl ether (20 ml). To the resultant mixture, a solution of p-toluenesulfonic acid (50 mg) in dry ether (2ml) was dropwise added at an inner temperature of 0° C., and the mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 2 hours and at 20° C. for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into an ice-cooled 5% aqueous potassium carbonate solution and shaken. The ether layer was separated, washed with an aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Removal of ether gave almost pure (S)-L-ethyl lactate tetrahydropyranyl ether (6.6 g) as pale yellow liquid. n_(D) ²².0 1.4395. [α]_(D) ²³ =-54.3° (CHCl₃, c=0.56).

(2) (S)-2-(Tetrahydropyranyloxy)-1-propanol

To a solution of lithiumaluminum hydride (1.5 g, 40 mmol) in dry ether (50 ml), (S)-L-ethyl lactate tetrahydropyranyl ether obtained in (1) (6.6 g, 33 mmol) was dropwise added at an inner temperature of 0° to 10° C., and the mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 1 hour and at 20° C. for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was then poured into an ice-cooled aqueous ammonium chloride solution and extracted with ether. The ether layer was washed with an aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Removal of ether gave (S)-2-(tetrahydropyranyloxy)propanol (4.2 g) as pale yellow liquid. n_(D) ²².5 1.4552. [α]_(D) ²³ =-5.3° (CHCl₃, c=0.51). IR (film): 3400, 2930, 1080, 1020 (strong).

(3) (S)-2-(Tetrahydropyranyloxy)-1-propyl p-toluenesulfonate

p-Toluenesulfonyl chloride (5.5 g, 30 mmol) was added to a solution of (S)-2-(tetrahydropyranyloxy)propanol as obtained (2) (4.2 g, 28 mmol) in pyridine (7 g) at a temperature of 0° to 5° C., and the resultant mixture was allowed to stand at 0° C. for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into ice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with water five times and then with an aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Removal of the solvent gave (S)-2-(tetrahydropyranyloxy)-1-propyl p-toluenesulfonate (6.8 g) as pale yellow liquid. ¹ H-NMR spectrum δ (CDCl₃, TMS): 1.13 (3H, m), 1.3-1.8 (6H), 2.39 (3H, s), 3.2-4.2 (5H), 4.52 (1H, broad m), 7.0-8.0 (4H).

(4) (S)-1-Methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethanol

To a suspension of sodium hydride (0.84 g, 21 mmol; 60% in oil) in dimethylformamide (20 ml), 4-phenoxyphenol (4.20 g, 23 mmol) was gradually added under ice-cooling, and the mixture was stirred at 20° C. for 1 hour. (S)-2-(Tetrahydropyranyloxy)-1-propyl p-toluenesulfonate as obtained in (3) (6.39 g, 20 mmol) was added thereto, and the resultant mixture was stirred at an inner temperature of 70° C. for 7 hours. The reaction mixture was then poured into ice-water and extracted with ether twice. The ether layer was washed with a 3% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution so as to eliminate unreacted 4-phenoxyphenol. The ether layer was washed with an aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After removal of the solvent, methanol (50 ml) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (50 mg) were added to the residue, followed by stirring at 20° C. for 1 hour. The reaction mixture was poured into an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate twice. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with an aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After removal of the solvent, the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give (S)-1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethanol (2.30 g) as white crystals. M.P., 73.6° C. [α]_(D) ²³ =+18.5° (CHCl₃, c=1.0).

(5) (S)-2-[1-Methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethoxy]pyridine

To a suspension of sodium hydride (80 mg, 2.0 mmol; 60% in oil) in dimethylformamide (5 ml), (S)-1-methyl-2-(4-pheoxyphenoxy)ethanol as obtained in (4) (500 mg, 2.0 mmol) was added at an inner temperature of 0° C., and the resultant mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 minutes and at 20° C. for 1 hour. 2-Fluoropyridine (280 mg, 2.9 mmol) was added thereto, and stirring was continued at 20° C. for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into ice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate twice. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with an aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After removal of the solvent, the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give (S)-2-[1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethoxy]pyridine (370 mg) as pale yellow liquid. n_(D) ²³.0 1.5828. [α]_(D) ²³ =-33.8° (CHCl₃, c=0.34).

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of Compound No. 118 (Procedure A)

To a solution of α-picoline (1.0 g, 11 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (20 ml), n-butyl lithium (8 ml, 11 mmol; 1.4 mmol/ml) was added at -50° C. under nitrogen stream until the reaction mixture turned red. After stirring at -50° C. for 30 minutes, 2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl bromide (3.0 g, 10 mmol) was dropwise added thereto at -50° C., and stirring was continued at the same temperature for 2 hours and at 20° C. for 12 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into ice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate layer was washed with an aqueous sodium chloride solution and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After removal of the solvent, the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give 2-[3-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)propyl]pyridine (1.6 g) as pale yellow oil. n_(D) ²⁴.5 1.5861.

EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of Compound No. 111 (Procedure C)

To a solution of 2-[2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethylthio]pyrimidine (324 mg, 1.0 mmol) in carbon tetrachloride (3 ml), there was added N-chlorosuccinimide (160 mg, 1.2 mmol) with stirring under ice-cooling. The reaction system was gradually elevated to room temperature and stirring was continued overnight. The precipitate was separated by filtration and the filtrate was concentrated. Recrystallization of the residue from cyclohexane gave 2-[1-chloro-2-(4-pheoxyphenoxy)ethylthio]pyrimidine (268 mg) as pale yellow crystals. M.P., 86.0° C.

EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of Compound No. 3 (Procedure B)

A mixture of 1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethanol (2.0 g, 8.2 mmol), 2-chloropyridine (4.0 g, 35 mmol), flaked 95% sodium hydroxide (1 g, 24 mmol) and tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (0.13 g) was stirred at an inner temperature of 85° to 90° C. for 6 hours. After allowed to cool, toluene (10 g) was added thereto, and the resultant mixture was washed with water and extracted with 35% hydrochloric acid (5 g) twice. The hydrochloric acid layer was washed with toluene (10 g). A 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added thereto to make the mixture sufficiently basic. The basic mixture was further extracted with toluene (10 g) twice, and the toluene layer was washed with a 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution in order and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. After removal of the solvent, the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography to give 2-[1 -methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethoxy]pyridine (1.87 g) as white crystals.

EXAMPLE 9 Preparation of Compound No. 3 (Procedure B)

To a mixture of sodium hydride (0.61 g, 15 mmol; 60% in oil) and 2-chloropyridine (1 g, 9 mmol), there was dropwise added a mixture of 1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethanol (3.0 g, 12 mmol) and 2-chloropyridine (5 g, 44 mmol) with stirring at an inner temperature of 0° to 5° C. Tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (0.2 g) was added to the resultant mixture, and stirring was continued at room temperature for 40 minutes and at an inner temperature of 85° to 90° C. for 6 hours. After allowed to cool, toluene (10 g) was added thereto, and the resultant mixture was washed with water and extracted with 35% hydrochloric acid (7.5 g) twice. To the hydrochloric acid layer, a 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to make basic, followed by extraction with toluene (10 g) twice. The toluene extract was washed with a 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution in order and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Removal of the solvent gave 2-[1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethoxy]pyridine (3.51 g) as pale brown crystals.

EXAMPLE 10 Preparation of Compound No. 55

Excess of gaseous hydrogen chloride was gradually introduced into a solution of 2-[2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethoxy]pyridine (1.54 mg, 5.0 mmol) in toluene (50 ml) with stirring. THe produced white precipitate was collected by filtration, washed with toluene several times and dried to give 2-[2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethoxy]pyridinium hydrochloride (1.65 g) as white crystals. M.P., 138.1° C.

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of (S)-(+)-1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethanol

A solution of 4-phenoxyphenol (2.14 g, 11.5 mmol) in toluene (7 ml) was poured into an aqueous solution (3 ml) of sodium hydroxide (0.92 g, 23.0 mmol), and (S)-(-)-propylene oxide (1.0 g, 17.24 mmol; a reagent manufactured by Aldrich; [α]_(D) ²⁰ =-7.2° (CHCl₃, c=1)) was added thereto while stirring. To the resultant mixture, tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (185 mg) was added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 12 hours, followed by addition of (S)-(-)-propylene oxide (1 g). After stirring at room temperature for 6 hours, the reaction mixture was vigorously stirred with addition of water (20 ml) and toluene (20 ml). The toluene layer was separated and washed with a 20% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and an aqueous sodium chloride solution in order and dried over magnesium sulfate. Removal of the solvent gave crude (S)-(+)-1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethanol (2.35 g), which was further purified by silica gel column chromatography to give (S)-(+)-1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethanol (1.97 g). [α]_(D) ²³ =+14.0° (CHCl.sub. 3, c=1). ee.: 72.9%.

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of (S)-1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl acetate through (R)-1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl methanesulfonate

A mixture of anhydrous sodium acetate (82 mg, 1.0 mmol), (R)-1-methyl-2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl methanesulfonate (250 mg, 0.78 mmol; ee.: 99.4%) and dimethylformamide (5 ml) was stirred at an inner temperature of 100° to 110° C. for 5 hours. After allowed to cool, ice-water was added thereto, and the reaction mixture was extracted with toluene three times. The toluene layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed, and the residue was purified by thin layer chromatography using silica gel to give (S)-(-)-1-methyl-2-(4- phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl acetate (158 mg). [α]_(D) ²³ =-30.6° (CHCl₃, c=1). ee.: 88.8%.

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of 4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)anisole

Sodium hydride (7.56 g, 0.189 mol; 60% in oil) was washed with n-hexane to eliminate the oil, and N,N-dimethylformamide (100 ml) was added thereto to make a suspension. To the thus prepared suspension, 4-methoxyphenol (25.84 g, 0.208 mol) was gradually added with stirring, and stirring was continued until the generation of hydrogen gas ceased. 1,3,5-Trifluorobenzene (30.00 g, 0.227 mol) and cuprous chloride (0.50 g) were added thereto. The resultant mixture was heated under reflux for 8 hours with stirring. After allowed to cool, the reaction mixture was poured into ice-water and extracted with toluene. The toluene layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed, and the residual oil was distilled under reduced pressure to give 4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)anisole (25.42 g). B.P., 98.5° C./0.2 mmHg.

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of 4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenol

A mixture of 4-(3,5-difluoropheoxy)anisole (22.0 g, 0.093 mol), acetic acid (200 ml) and a 47% aqueous hydrogen bromide solution (200 ml) was heated with stirring under reflux for 8 hours. After allowed to cool, the reaction mixture was poured into ice-water and extracted with a mixture of ether and n-hexane (1:2). The organic layer was washed with water three times and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Removal of the solvent gave 4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenol (20.27 g).

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of 2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]ethanol

4-(3,5-Difluorophenoxy)phenol (9.0 g, 40.5 mmol) was added to an ethanolic solution of sodium ethoxide prepared from ethanol (40 ml) and sodium (939 mg, 40.9 mmol). To the resultant solution, 2-chloroethanol (3.26 g, 40.5 mmol) was dropwise added with stirring under reflux. After completion of the addition, the resultant mixture was stirred under reflux for 4 hours. After allowed to cool, ethanol was removed, and the residual oil was dissolved in toluene. The toluene layer was washed with water once, a 20% aqueous potassium hydroxide solution two times and a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution once in order and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Removal of the solvent gave 2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]ethanol (6.50 g).

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of 1-methyl-2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]ethanol

4-(3,5-Difluorophenoxy)phenol (3.0 g, 13.5 mmol) was added to an ethanolic solution of sodium ethoxide prepared from ethanol (15 ml) and sodium (313 mg, 13.6 mmol). To the resultant solution, 1-chloro-2-propanol (1.60 g, 16.9 mmol) was dropwise added with stirring under reflux. After completion of the addition, the resultant mixture was stirred under reflux for 5 hours. After allowed to cool, ethanol was removed, and the residual oil was dissolved in toluene. The toluene layer was washed with water once, a 20% aqueous potassium hydroxide solution two times and a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution once in order and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Removal of the solvent gave 1-methyl-2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]ethanol (2.24 g).

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of 2-methyl-2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]ethanol

A mixture of 4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenol (11.1 g, 50.0 mmol), ethyl 2-bromopropionate (9.96 g, 55.0 mmol), potassium carbonate (7.25 g, 52.5 mmol) and N,N-dimethylformamide (50 ml) was stirred at an inner temperature of 70° to 80° C. for 3 hours. After allowed to cool, the reaction mixture was poured into ice-water and extracted with toluene. The toluene layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed to give ethyl 2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]propionate (15.6 g).

The thus obtained ethyl 2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]propionate (15.6 g) was dissolved in diethyl ether (10 ml). The resulting solution was dropwise added to a suspension of lithium aluminum hydride (1.38 g, 36.3 mmol) in diethyl ether (70 ml) with stirring at an inner temperature of -20° to -10° C. After completion of the addition, stirring was continued for 1 hour while keeping the inner temperature at 0° to 5° C. The reaction mixture was poured into a mixture of ice and hydrochloric acid and extracted with ether. The ether layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed to give 2-methyl-2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]ethanol (12.6 g).

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of 2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]ethyl bromide

To a mixture of 2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]ethanol (1.00 g, 3.76 mmol) and n-hexane (50 ml), phosphorus tribromide (0.71 g, 2.63 mmol) was gradually added with stirring under ice-cooling. After completion of the addition, the temperature was elevated to room temperature and stirring was continued at the same temperature for 30 minutes, followed by stirring under reflux for 1 hour. After allowed to cool, the upper n-hexane layer was collected by decantation, and the n-hexane layer was washed with water two times, an aqueous sodium carbonate solution three times and a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution once in order and dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Removal of the solvent gave 2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]ethyl bromide (915 mg).

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 9 Preparation of 2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]ethyl p-toluenesulfonate

To a solution of 2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]ethanol (2.66 g, 10.0 mmol) in pyridine (2.8 g), p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (1.91 g, 10.0 mmol) was gradually added with stirring while cooling at -20° C. and the resultant mixture was allowed to stand in a refrigerator overnight. Diethyl ether was added to the reaction mixture, which was washed with dilute hydrochloric acid until the aqueous layer became acidic, followed by washing with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and a saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution. The obtained ether layer was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed to give 2-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenoxy]ethyl p-toluenesulfonate (3.90 g).

In the same manner as above, there were prepared the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (I) and the intermediates thereto. Some typical examples of them are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

    TABLE 1       ##STR21##       (I)         Position of       No.Compound R.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3      R.sub.4 R.sub.5 R.sub.6       ##STR22##       X Y Z m n Physical constant                      1       ##STR23##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 94.2° C.       2                 ##STR24##       H H H H H 4- S O O 0 0 M.P. 81.6° C.       3                 ##STR25##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.20.5 1.5823;M.P. 49.7°      C.       4                 ##STR26##       H CH.sub.3 H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.21.0 1.5775       5                 ##STR27##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 4- O O S 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.19.0 1.5963       6                 ##STR28##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.20.5 1.5721       7                 ##STR29##       H H H 3-CH.sub.3 H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.20.5 1.5899       8                 ##STR30##       H H H 2-F H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 76.0°  C.       9                 ##STR31##       H H H 4-F H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 58.4° C.       10                 ##STR32##       H CH.sub.3 H H H 4- O O S 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.20.5 1.6153       11                 ##STR33##       H H H H H 4- O S O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.20.5 1.6188       12                 ##STR34##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F 5-F 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.19.0 1.5602       13                 ##STR35##       CH.sub.3 H 2-CH.sub.3 * H H 4- O O O 1 0 n.sub.D.sup.20.5 1.5791  14       ##STR36##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-OCHF.sub.2 H 4- O O O 0 0       15                 ##STR37##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 4- O O CH.sub.2 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.21.0 1.5818  16       ##STR38##       H H H H H 4- O CH.sub.2 O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.22.0 1.5864       17                 ##STR39##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 4- O CH.sub.2 O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.21.5 1.5781  18       ##STR40##       H CH.sub.3 H H H 4- O CH.sub.2 O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.22.0 1.5791     19       ##STR41##       [α].sub.D.sup.23 = +39.4°(CHCl.sub.3, c = 0.34)  20       ##STR42##       [α].sub.D.sup.23 = -33.8°(CHCl.sub.3, c = 0.34)          21       ##STR43##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 58.6° C.       22                 ##STR44##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 121.9° C.       23                 ##STR45##       H H H 3-Cl 5-Cl 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 94.2° C.       24                 ##STR46##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 90.5° C.       25                 ##STR47##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 54.5° C.       26                 ##STR48##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 112.7° C.       27                 ##STR49##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 63-65° C.       28                 ##STR50##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 77-79° C.       29                 ##STR51##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.20.5 1.6035       30                 ##STR52##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.21.5 1.5491       31                 ##STR53##       H H H H H 4- S O O 0 0 M.P. 91.6° C.       32                 ##STR54##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.21.0 1.6125       33                 ##STR55##       H CH.sub.3 H H H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.21.0 1.6126       34                 ##STR56##       CH.sub.3 CH.sub.3 H H H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.21.5 1.6089  35       ##STR57##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 110.2° C.       36                 ##STR58##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 1 M.P. 64.6° C.       37                 ##STR59##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.0  1.5857       38                 ##STR60##       H CH.sub.3 H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.5 1.5844       39                 ##STR61##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F 5-F 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.19.0 1.5611       40                 ##STR62##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.20.5 1.5986       41                 ##STR63##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 91.9° C.       42                 ##STR64##       H H H H H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.21.0 1.6080       43                 ##STR65##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.21.0 1.5797       44                 ##STR66##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 91.3° C.       45                 ##STR67##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 124.1° C.       46                 ##STR68##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 65.9° C.       47                 ##STR69##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.22.0 1.5890       48                 ##STR70##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub. D.sup.22.5 1.6031       49                 ##STR71##       H H H H H 4- S O O 0 0 M.P. 88.6° C.       50                 ##STR72##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.0 1.6132       51                 ##STR73##       H CH.sub.3 H H H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.21.0 1.6138       52                 ##STR74##       H H H H H 4- S O O 0 0 M.P. 95.2° C.       53                 ##STR75##       H H H H H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.5 1.6117       54                 ##STR76##       H H H H H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.22.5 1.6110          55                 ##STR77##       M.P. 138.1° C.                     56                 ##STR78##       H H H H H 4- S O O 0 0 M.P. 96.4° C.       57                 ##STR79##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-CF.sub.3 H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.0 1.5349  58       ##STR80##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-OCH.sub.3 H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.22.5 1.5794  59       ##STR81##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.0 1.6114          60                 ##STR82##       viscous liquid                     61                 ##STR83##       H H H 3-F H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 79.3° C.       62                 ##STR84##       H H H 3-F 5-F 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 80.6° C.       63                 ##STR85##       H H H 3-F H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 92.8° C.       64                 ##STR86##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.28.5 1.5660       65                 ##STR87##       H H H 3-F 5-F 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 91.2° C.       66                 ##STR88##       H H H 3-F H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 71.7° C.       67                 ##STR89##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.28.5 1.5720       68                 ##STR90##       H H H 3-F 5-F 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 74.2° C.       69                 ##STR91##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F 5-F 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.29.0 1.5599       70                 ##STR92##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 80.9° C.       71                 ##STR93##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 68.0° C.       72                 ##STR94##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.28.0 1.5678       73                 ##STR95##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F 5-F 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.25.0 1.5568       74                 ##STR96##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.25.0 1.5686       75                 ##STR97##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub. D.sup.25.0 1.5705       76                 ##STR98##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F 5-F 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.26.0 1.5584       77                 ##STR99##       H CH.sub.3 H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.5 1.5864       78                 ##STR100##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.5 1.5737       79                 ##STR101##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F 5-F 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 75.0° C.       80                 ##STR102##       H H H 3-F 5-F 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.0 1.5953       81                 ##STR103##       H H H 3-F H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.0 1.6103       82                 ##STR104##       H H H 3-F 5-F 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.0 1.5954       83                 ##STR105##       H H H 3-F H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.0 1.6062       84                 ##STR106##       H H H 3-F 5-F 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.5 1.5950       85                 ##STR107##       H H H 3-F H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.0 1.6085       86                 ##STR108##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F 5-F 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.5 1.5859       87                 ##STR109##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F 5-F 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.5 1.5864       88                 ##STR110##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F 5-F 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.0 1.5858       89                 ##STR111##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 74.5° C.       90                 ##STR112##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.5 1.5865       91                 ##STR113##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.0 1.5959       92                 ##STR114##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.5 1.5735       93                 ##STR115##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F 5-F 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.5 1.5859       94                 ##STR116##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F 5-F 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.5 1.5838       95                 ##STR117##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F 5-F 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.5 1.5850       96                 ##STR118##       H CH.sub.3 H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.5 1.5851       97                 ##STR119##       H CH.sub.3 H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.5 1.5698       98                 ##STR120##       H H H 3-F H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 65.2° C.       99                 ##STR121##       H H H 3-F 5-F 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 87.4° C.       100                 ##STR122##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.25.0 1.5580       101                 ##STR123##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F 5-F 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.25.0 1.5468       102                 ##STR124##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.25.0 1.5601       103                 ##STR125##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F 5-F 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.25.0 1.5484       104                 ##STR126##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.0 1.5974       105                 ##STR127##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.0 1.5961       106                 ##STR128##       H CH.sub.3 H 3-F H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.0 1.5971       107                 ##STR129##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.0 1.5990       108                 ##STR130##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.0 1.5960       109                 ##STR131##       CH.sub.3 H H 3-F H 4- S O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.0 1.5979       110                 ##STR132##       CH.sub.3 H 3-F* H H 4- O O O 1 0       111                 ##STR133##       Cl H H H H 4- S O O 0 0 M.P. 86.0° C.       112                 ##STR134##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.0 1.5971       113                 ##STR135##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 58.9° C.       114                 ##STR136##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0 M.P. 79.9° C.   115 a mixture of       ##STR137##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0  and             n.sub.D.sup.22.5 1.6037       ##STR138##       H H H H H 4- O O O 0 0                     116                 ##STR139##       CH.sub.3 H H 2-F H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.22.5 1.5723       117                 ##STR140##       CH.sub.3 H H 4-F H 4- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.22.5 1.5705       118                 ##STR141##       H H H H H 4- CH.sub.2 O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.5 1.5861       119                 ##STR142##       H Cl H H H 4- O S O 0 0       120                 ##STR143##       H H H H H 3- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.26.5 1.5923       121                 ##STR144##       H H H 4-F H 3- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.5 1.5788       122                 ##STR145##       H H H 3-F H 3- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.5 1.5789       123                 ##STR146##       H H H 3-F H 3- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.0 1.5807       124                 ##STR147##       H H H 4-CH.sub.3 H 3- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.22.5 1.5873       125                 ##STR148##       H H H 4-CH.sub.3 H 3- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.0 1.5950       126                 ##STR149##       H H H 2-CH.sub.3 H 3- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.5 1.5865       127                 ##STR150##       H H H 4-F H 3- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.24.5 1.5820       128                 ##STR151##       H H H 3-F H 3- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.23.5 1.5834       129                 ##STR152##       H H H 2-F H 3- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.22.5 1.5819       130                 ##STR153##       CH.sub.3 H H H H 3- O O O 0 0 n.sub.D.sup.25.0 1.5813          131                 ##STR154##       .sub.D.sup.23 = +7.0°(CHCl.sub.3, c = 0.20)       132                 ##STR155##        .sub.D.sup.23 = -4.4°(CHCl.sub.3, c =      Note:      *In regard to Y.

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                                    1                                                                    ##STR156##                                                                    Com-                                                                           pound                                Physical                                  No.   R.sub.1 "     R.sub.2 "                                                                             R.sub.3 "                                                                           R.sub.4 "                                                                           constant                                  ______________________________________                                         133                                                                                   ##STR157##            n.sub.D.sup.29.5 1.5364                           134                                                                                   ##STR158##            n.sub.D.sup.29.5 1.5538                           135   OH            H      H    F    n.sub.D.sup.29.0 1.5476                   136   OH            H      CH.sub.3                                                                            F    n.sub.D.sup.28.0 1.5331                   137   OH            CH.sub.3                                                                              H    F    n.sub.D.sup.29.5 1.5359                   138   Br            H      H    F    n.sub.D.sup.25.5 1.5589                   139   Br            H      CH.sub.3                                                                            F    n.sub.D.sup.28.5 1.5459                   140   Br            CH.sub.3                                                                              H    F    n.sub.D.sup.26.5 1.5473                   141                                                                                   ##STR159##   H      H    F    n.sub.D.sup.27.0 1.5621                   142                                                                                   ##STR160##   H      CH.sub.3                                                                            F    n.sub.D.sup.27.5 1.5490                   143                                                                                   ##STR161##   CH.sub.3                                                                              H    F    n.sub.D.sup.29.0 1.5508                   144   OSO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                           H      H    F    n.sub.D.sup.27.5 1.4846                   145   OSO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                           H      CH.sub.3                                                                            F    n.sub.D.sup.28.0 1.4715                   146   OSO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                           CH.sub.3                                                                              H    F    n.sub.D.sup.26.5 1.4732                   147   OH            H      H    H    n.sub.D.sup.21.5 1.4629                   148   OH            H      CH.sub.3                                                                            H    M.P. 40-44° C.                     149   OH            CH.sub.3                                                                              H    H    M.P. 44.9° C.                      150   Br            H      H    H    n.sub.D.sup.21.5 1.5757                   151   Br            H      CH.sub.3                                                                            H    n.sub.D.sup.21.5 1.5649                   152   Br            CH.sub.3                                                                              H    H    n.sub.D.sup.21.5 1.5632                   ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Compound                                                                       No.   Structure                     Physical constant                          __________________________________________________________________________     153                                                                                   ##STR162##              (S)isomer                                                                            [α].sub.D.sup.23                                                         = +18.5° (CHCl.sub.3, c = 1)                                            ee.: 96.3%                                154                                                                                   ##STR163##              (R)isomer                                                                            [α].sub.D.sup.23                                                         = -19.1° (CHCl.sub.3, c = 1)                                            ee.: 99.4%                                155                                                                                   ##STR164##              (S)isomer                                                                            [α].sub.D.sup.23                                                         = +23.1° (CHCl.sub.3, c =                                               0.39) ee.: 42.2%                          156                                                                                   ##STR165##              (R)isomer                                                                            [α].sub.D.sup.23                                                         = +48.7° (CHCl.sub.3, c =                                               0.38) ee.: 89.7%                          __________________________________________________________________________

On the application of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (I) as insecticidal agents, they may be used as such or, preferably, in the form of an appropriate composition such as emulsifiable concentrates, dusts, granules, wettable powders and fine granules. The content of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound (I) in such composition is usually from about 0.1 to 99.9% by weight, preferably from about 2.0 to 80.0% by weight.

The composition can be formulated in a per se conventional manner by mixing at least one of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (I) with an appropriate solid or liquid carrier(s) or diluent(s). An appropriate adjuvant(s) (e.g. surfactants, adherents, dispersants, stabilizers) may be admixed therein for improving the dispersibility and other properties of the active ingredient on use.

Examples of the solid carriers or diluents are clays (e.g. kaolin, bentonite, fuller's earth, pyrophyllite, sericite), talcs, other inorganic materials (e.g. hydrated silica, pumice, diatomaceous earth, sulfur powder, active carbon) in fine powders or powdery form.

Examples of the liquid carriers or diluents are alcohols (e.g. methanol, ethanol), ketones (e.g. acetone, methyl ethyl ketone), ethers (e.g. diethyl ether, dioxane, cellosolve, tetrahydrofuran), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene, toluene, xylene, methylnaphthalene), aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g. gasoline, kerosene, lamp oil), esters, nitriles, acid amides (e.g. dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide), halogenated hydrocarbons (e.g. dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride), etc.

Examples of the surfactants are alkylsulfates, alkylsulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, polyethylene glycol ethers, polyhydric alcohol esters, etc. Examples of the adherents and dispersants may include casein, gelatin, starch powder, CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose), gum arabic, alginic acid, ligninsulfonate, bentonite, molasses, polyvinyl alcohol, pine oil and agar. As the stabilizers, there may be used PAP (isopropyl acid phosphates mixture), TCP (tricresyl phosphate), tolu oil, epoxydized oil, various surfactants, various fatty acids and their esters, etc.

In addition, the said composition may contain insecticides, insect growth inhibitors, acaricides, nematocides, fungicides, herbicides, plant growth regulators, fertilizers, soil improvers, etc. Particularly when employed in conjunction with conventional insecticides, a broad spectrum of activity or a more immediate effect on very heterogeneous populations is provided. Examples of the insecticides include organic phosphorus compounds (e.g. fenitrothion(O,O-dimethyl-O-(3-methyl-4-nitrophenyl)phosphorothioate), malathion(S-[1,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl]O,O-dimethylphosphorothioate), dimethoate(O,O-dimethyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoylmethyl)phosphorodithioate), salithion(2-methoxy-4H-1,3,2-benzdioxaphosphorin-2-sulfide), diazinon(O,O-diethyl-O-(2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimydinyl)phosphorothioate), dipterex(2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethyl-O,O-dimethylphosphonate), dichlorvos(O-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-O,O-dimethylphosphate), etc.), carbamate compounds (e.g. MPMC(3,4-dimethylphenyl N-methylcarbamate), MTMC(m-tolyl N-methylcarbamate), BPMC(2-sec-butylphenyl N-methylcarbamate), carbaryl(1-naphthyl N-methylcarbamate), etc.) and pyrethroid compounds (e.g. resmethrin(5-benzyl-3-furylmethyl-d,l-cis,trans-chrysanthemate), permethrin(3-phenoxybenzyl-d,l-cis,trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate), fenvalerate(α-cyano-m-phenoxybenzyl α-isopropyl-p-chlorophenylacetate), etc.).

The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (I) of the invention formulated into an appropriate composition may be applied in a suitable application method such as spraying, smoking, soil treatment, soil surface treatment or in combination with animal feed.

Some practical embodiments of the composition for the control of insects according to the invention are illustratively shown in the following Formulation Examples wherein % and part(s) are by weight.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 1

Each of Compound Nos. 1 to 132 (20 parts), an emulsifier (a mixture of polyoxyethylene-styrenated phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene-styrenated phenyl ether polymer and an alkylarylsulfonate) (20 parts) and xylene (60 parts) are mixed well to make an emulsifiable concentrate.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 2

Each of Compound Nos. 1 to 132 (20 parts) and an emulsifier (sodium laurylsulfate) (5 parts) are mixed well, and diatomaceous earth (300 mesh) (75 parts) is added thereto, and the resultant mixture is mixed well in a pulverizer to make a wettable powder.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 3

Each of Compound Nos. 1, 3, 12 or 46 (3 parts) is dissolved in acetone (20 parts), talc (300 mesh) (97 parts) is added thereto, and the resultant mixture is mixed well in a pulverizer. Then, acetone is eliminated by evaporation to give a dust.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 4

Each of Compound Nos. 1 or 12 (5 parts), a dispersant (calcium ligninsulfonate) (2 parts) and clay (93 parts) are mixed well in a pulverizer. To the resultant mixture, water is added in an amount of 10%, and the resulting mixture is kneaded well and granulated by the aid of a granulator, followed by drying to give granules.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 5

Compound No. 3 (2 parts), a dispersant (calcium lingninsulfonate) (2 parts) and clay (96 parts) are mixed well in a pulverizer. Water is added to the resultant mixture in an amount of 10%. The resulting mixture is mixed well and granulated by the aid of a granulator, followed by air-drying to give fine granules.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 6

Each of Compound Nos. 1 to 132 (10 parts), resmethrin ((20 parts), an emulsifier (a mixture of polyoxyethylene-styrenated phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene-styrenated phenyl ether polymer and an alkylarylsulfonate) (20 parts) and xylene (50 parts) are mixed well to make an emulsifiable concentrate.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 7

Each of Compound Nos. 1 to 132 (10 parts), fenitrothion (20 parts) and an emulsifier (sodium laurylsulfate) (5 parts) are mixed well, and diatomaceous earth (300 mesh) (65 parts) is added thereto, and the resultant mixture is mixed well in a pulverizer to make a wettable powder.

The following Examples show some typical test data indicating the excellent insect control activity of the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds (I). The compounds used for comparison are as follows:

    __________________________________________________________________________     Compound                                                                       No.   Chemical structure   Remarks                                             __________________________________________________________________________            ##STR166##          Known as "methoprene"; U.S. Pat.                                               Nos. 3,904,662 & 3,912,815                          B                                                                                     ##STR167##          Compound disclosed in Japanese Pat. Publn.                                     (unexamined) No. 157522/1975                        C                                                                                     ##STR168##          Compound disclosed in DT-OS 2,616,755               D                                                                                     ##STR169##          Known as "fenvalerate"                              E                                                                                     ##STR170##          Known as "fenitrothion"                             __________________________________________________________________________

TEST EXAMPLE 1

Pupae of wax both (Galleria mellonella) were collected with 20 hours from the pupation. According to the Schneiderman's method (J. Insect Physiol., 11, 1641 (1965)), a puncture of about 1 mm² was made in the right side of the thoracic dorsum of each pupa, and the wound was sealed with a designed amount of the test compound dissolved in a mixture of paraffin wax and peanut oil. The medicated pupae were kept at 28° C. in a pyrostat. The pupal cuticule at the medicated part was peeled off before emergence, and observation was made to examine the formation of the pupal cuticule, from which the average rate of reaction to the test compound was determined, and the dose of the test compound for 50% inhibition of the metamorphosis (ID₅₀) was calculated. The results are shown in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4                                                          ______________________________________                                         Test compound No.                                                                              ID.sub.50 (μg/pupa)                                         ______________________________________                                         1                  <0.001                                                      A               2.2                                                            B               >1                                                             C               >1                                                             ______________________________________                                    

TEST EXAMPLE 2

An emulsifiable concentrate prepared according to Formulation Example 1 was diluted with water to make a 400 fold dilution. The dilution (0.7 ml) was added to 100 ml of distilled water. Last instar larvae of common mosquito (Culex pipiens pallens) were released therein and reared for 7 days until their emergence. The rate of emergence was observed (two replications). The results are shown in Table 5.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         Test compound                                                                               Concentration                                                                              Rate of emergence                                     No.          (ppm)       (%)                                                   ______________________________________                                          1           3.5         0                                                      2           3.5         0                                                      3           3.5         0                                                      4           3.5         0                                                      5           3.5         0                                                      6           3.5         0                                                      7           3.5         0                                                      8           3.5         0                                                      9           3.5         0                                                     10           3.5         0                                                     11           3.5         0                                                     12           3.5         0                                                     13           3.5         0                                                     14           3.5         0                                                     15           3.5         0                                                     17           3.5         0                                                     18           3.5         0                                                     19           3.5         0                                                     20           3.5         0                                                     21           3.5         0                                                     22           3.5         0                                                     23           3.5         0                                                     24           3.5         0                                                     25           3.5         0                                                     26           3.5         0                                                     27           3.5         0                                                     28           3.5         0                                                     29           3.5         0                                                     30           3.5         0                                                     31           3.5         0                                                     32           3.5         0                                                     33           3.5         0                                                     34           3.5         0                                                     35           3.5         0                                                     36           3.5         0                                                     37           3.5         0                                                     38           3.5         0                                                     39           3.5         0                                                     40           3.5         0                                                     41           3.5         0                                                     42           3.5         0                                                     43           3.5         0                                                     44           3.5         0                                                     45           3.5         0                                                     46           3.5         0                                                     47           3.5         0                                                     48           3.5         0                                                     49           3.5         0                                                     50           3.5         0                                                     51           3.5         0                                                     52           3.5         0                                                     53           3.5         0                                                     54           3.5         0                                                     55           3.5         0                                                     56           3.5         0                                                     57           3.5         0                                                     58           3.5         0                                                     59           3.5         0                                                     60           3.5         0                                                     61           3.5         0                                                     62           3.5         0                                                     63           3.5         0                                                     64           3.5         0                                                     65           3.5         0                                                     66           3.5         0                                                     67           3.5         0                                                     68           3.5         0                                                     69           3.5         0                                                     70           3.5         0                                                     71           3.5         0                                                     72           3.5         0                                                     73           3.5         0                                                     74           3.5         0                                                     75           3.5         0                                                     76           3.5         0                                                     77           3.5         0                                                     78           3.5         0                                                     79           3.5         0                                                     80           3.5         0                                                     81           3.5         0                                                     81           3.5         0                                                     82           3.5         0                                                     83           3.5         0                                                     84           3.5         0                                                     85           3.5         0                                                     86           3.5         0                                                     87           3.5         0                                                     88           3.5         0                                                     89           3.5         0                                                     90           3.5         0                                                     91           3.5         0                                                     92           3.5         0                                                     93           3.5         0                                                     94           3.5         0                                                     95           3.5         0                                                     96           3.5         0                                                     97           3.5         0                                                     98           3.5         0                                                     99           3.5         0                                                     100          3.5         0                                                     101          3.5         0                                                     102          3.5         0                                                     103          3.5         0                                                     104          3.5         0                                                     105          3.5         0                                                     106          3.5         0                                                     107          3.5         0                                                     108          3.5         0                                                     109          3.5         0                                                     110          3.5         0                                                     111          3.5         0                                                     112          3.5         0                                                     113          3.5         0                                                     114          3.5         0                                                     115          3.5         0                                                     116          3.5         0                                                     117          3.5         0                                                     118          3.5         0                                                     119          3.5         0                                                     120          3.5         0                                                     121          3.5         0                                                     122          3.5         0                                                     123          3.5         0                                                     124          3.5         0                                                     125          3.5         0                                                     126          3.5         0                                                     127          3.5         0                                                     128          3.5         0                                                     129          3.5         0                                                     130          3.5         0                                                     131          3.5         0                                                     132          3.5         0                                                     A            3.5         0                                                     Untreated    --          90                                                    ______________________________________                                    

TEST EXAMPLE 3

An emulsifiable concentrate prepared according to Formulation Example 1 was diluted with water to a designed dilution. The dilution (0.5 ml) was added to 100 ml of distilled water. Twenty last instar larvae of common mosquito (Culex pipiens pallens) were released therein and reared for 7 days until their emergence. The 50% emergence inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) (ppm) was determined (two replications). The results are shown in Table 6 wherein PI₅₀ corresponds to -log IC₅₀.

                  TABLE 6                                                          ______________________________________                                         Test Compound No. PI.sub.50                                                    ______________________________________                                          1                4.3                                                           3                4.2                                                           6                4.6                                                          19                3.9                                                          20                4.4                                                          23                4.4                                                          46                3.8                                                          49                5.2                                                          89                4.4                                                          95                4.2                                                          97                4.7                                                          124               4.1                                                          125               4.1                                                          A                 3.7                                                          B                 1.1                                                          C                 1.6                                                          ______________________________________                                    

TEST EXAMPLE 4

Powdered animal feed (2 g) was thoroughly mixed with bran (14 g). An emulsifiable concentrate prepared according to Formulation Example 1 was diluted with water to a designed concentration and the dilution (28 ml) was added to the above mixture. The resultant mixture was stirred well to make an artificial culture. Thirty larvae of housefly (Musca domestica) were reared therein until their pupation. The obtained pupae were placed into a plastic cup, and the rate of emergence was determined. According to the following equation, the emergence inhibition (%) was calculated: ##EQU1##

The results are shown in Table 7.

                  TABLE 7                                                          ______________________________________                                                     Emergence inhibition                                                           (%)                                                                Test compound No.                                                                            3 ppm      1 ppm   0.3 ppm                                       ______________________________________                                          1            100        100     100                                            2            100        100      52                                            3            100        100     100                                            4            100        100     100                                            5            100        100     100                                            6            100        100     100                                           10            100         89      22                                           12            100        100     100                                           15            100        100     100                                           19            100        100     100                                           28             78         51      0                                            31            100        100     100                                           32             96         66      0                                            33            100         92      34                                           34             79         23      0                                            35             97         97      80                                           37            100        100     100                                           38             97         93      77                                           39            100        100      97                                           46            100        100     100                                           47            100        100     100                                           49             97         62      8                                            50            100         95      23                                           51            100         68      2                                            61            100        100     100                                           62            100        100      89                                           63            100        100     100                                           64            100        100     100                                           66            100        100     100                                           67            100        100     100                                           68            100        100      89                                           69            100        100     100                                           71            100        100     100                                           72            100        100     100                                           73            100        100      96                                           74            100        100      83                                           75            100        100      95                                           76            100        100     100                                           77            100        100     100                                           78            100        100     100                                           79            100        100      95                                           82            100         89      41                                           83            100         92      57                                           84            100         67      16                                           85            100        100      97                                           97            100        100      85                                           98            100        100      96                                           99            100        100      92                                           100           100        100      32                                           101           100        100      40                                           102           100        100     100                                           103           100        100      92                                           120           100         79      46                                           122           100         47      7                                            131           100        100     100                                           132           100        100     100                                           A              60         13      2                                            B              36         15      0                                            C              0          0       0                                            ______________________________________                                    

TEST EXAMPLE 5

Adults of female carmine spider mites (Tetranychus cinnabarinus) were permitted to live on four leaves (10 mites per leaf) of kidney bean after 5 days of its plantation in the pots, and the adults were kept at 27° C. in a pyrostat. After 6 days, a 400 fold dilution (500 ppm) of the emulsifiable concentrate prepared according to Formulation Example 1 was sprayed over the pots placed on a turn table at a spray volume of 10 ml per pot, and also 2 ml of the dilution was applied to the soil in each pot. Eight days thereafter, the number of the adults were counted and the insect control activity was judged according to the following criteria:

++: 0 to 9 adults living on a leaf

+: 10 to 30 adults living on a leaf

-: more than 31 adults living on a leaf

The results are shown in Table 8.

                  TABLE 8                                                          ______________________________________                                         Test Compound No.                                                                               Judgement                                                     ______________________________________                                         46               +                                                             80               ++                                                            126              +                                                             128              ++                                                            B                -                                                             C                -                                                             Untreated        -                                                             ______________________________________                                    

TEST EXAMPLE 6

Each fifty adults of male and female houseflies (Musca domestica) were put in a cage. Separately, powdered feed (2 g), bran (14 g) and water (28 ml) were thoroughly mixed to make an artificial culture and thirty 4-day-old larvae of housefly were reared therein. A 20% emulsifiable concentrate of Compound No. 3 prepared according to Formulation Example 1 and diluted with water as well as its mixture with Compound D and Compound E was sprayed to each of the cage and the culture at a spray volume of 20 ml. After the spraying, the culture was put in the cage, and the numbers of the adults within the cage were observed with lapse of days and evaluated in terms of "corrected density index", which was calculated according to the following equation: ##EQU2##

The results are shown in Table 9.

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                         Com-   Concen-                                                                 pound  tration  Corrected density index                                        No.    (ppm)    1 day   2 days                                                                               5 days                                                                               16 days                                                                              22 days                              ______________________________________                                         3       5       98      98    99    3     2                                    D      10       25      24    23    64    81                                   E      10       30      22    22    71    80                                   3/D    5/10     34      29    25    4     2                                    3/E    5/10     33      31    30    2     1                                    ______________________________________                                    

TEST EXAMPLE 7

An emulsifiable concentrate prepared according to Formulation Example 1 was diluted with water to a designed concentration. The resultant dilution (50 ml) was added to feed for domestic fowl (100 g) and thoroughly mixed. The thus obtained mixture was fed to groups of fowls (each group consisting of three animals) at a daily dose of 100 g/fowl for 2 days, whereupon their droppings were collected. Two hundreds eggs of housefly (Musca domestica) were incubated in the droppings until their pupation. The obtained pupae were placed into another container, and the 50% emergence inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) was examined. The results are shown in Table 10.

                  TABLE 10                                                         ______________________________________                                         Test Compound No.                                                                               IC.sub.50 (ppm)                                               ______________________________________                                         1                0.69                                                          3                0.24                                                          A                32                                                            ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound of the formula: ##STR171## wherein R₇ and R₈ are each a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom and l is an integer of 0 to 3;R₂ and R₃ are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a methyl group; R₄ is a halogen atom or a methyl group; R₅ and R₆ are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; Y and Z are, the same or different, each an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a methylene group; X is either an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; and m is an integer of 0 to
 1. 2. The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound according to claim 1, having the formula: ##STR172##
 3. The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound according to claim 1, having the formula: ##STR173##
 4. The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound according to claim 1, having the formula: ##STR174##
 5. The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound according to claim 1, having the formula: ##STR175##
 6. The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound according to claim 1, having the formula: ##STR176##
 7. The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound according to claim 1, having the formula: ##STR177##
 8. The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound according to claim 1, having the formula: ##STR178##
 9. The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound according to claim 1, having the formula: ##STR179##
 10. The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound according to claim 1, having the formula: ##STR180##
 11. The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound according to claim 1, which is an (S)-(-)-isomer of the compound of the formula: ##STR181##
 12. The nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound according to claim 1, which is an (S)-(-)-isomer of the compound of the formula: ##STR182##
 13. A composition for preventing or exterminating insects which comprises as an active ingredient an insecticidally effective amount of the compound according to claim 1, and an inert carrier or diluent.
 14. A method for preventing or exterminating insects which comprises applying an insecticidally effective amount of the compound according to claim 1 to the insects.
 15. A nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound of the formula: ##STR183## wherein R₇ and R₈ are each a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom and l is an integer of 1 to 3;R₂ and R₃ are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a methyl group; R₄ is a halogen atom or a methyl group; R₅ and R₆ are, the same or different, each a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; X is methylene; Y is oxygen; Z is oxygen or sulfur; and m is an integer of 0 to
 1. 16. A method for preventing or exterminating insects which comprises applying an insecticidally effective amount of the compound according to claim 2 to the insects.
 17. A method for preventing or exterminating insects which comprises applying an insecticidally effective amount of the compound according to claim 3 to the insects.
 18. A method for preventing or exterminating insects which comprises applying an insecticidally effective amount of the compound according to claim 4 to the insects.
 19. A method for preventing or exterminating insects which comprises applying an insecticidally effective amount of the compound according to claim 5 to the insects.
 20. A method for preventing or exterminating insects which comprises applying an insecticidally effective amount of the compound according to claim 6 to the insects.
 21. A method for preventing or exterminating insects which comprises applying an insecticidally effective amount of the compound according to claim 7 to the insects.
 22. A method for preventing or exterminating insects which comprises applying an insecticidally effective amount of the compound according to claim 8 to the insects.
 23. A method for preventing or exterminating insects which comprises applying an insecticidally effective amount of the compound according to claim 9 to the insects.
 24. A method for preventing or exterminating insects which comprises applying an insecticidally effective amount of the compound according to claim 10 to the insects.
 25. A method for preventing or exterminating insects which comprises applying an insecticidally effective amount of the compound according to claim 11 to the insects.
 26. A method for preventing or exterminating insects which comprises applying an insecticidally effective amount of the compound according to claim 12 to the insects. 